Author's Note: This chapter has a warning for both ableism and discussion of the Gem equivalent of eugenics.
Cream Pearl
[The screen flickers to life. It shows a Pearl. The lighting is poor, and the focus slightly off; her already pale complexion seems completely drained of colour. Her expression is sharp, intense, serious.]
Pearl: Hello. I—
[Pearl stutters, and looks offscreen, rattled. She touches the gemstone in her cheek, as though to steady herself. Then she looks forward again and carries on.]
Pearl: You are currently on a Class Z transport vessel, intended to ship you en-mass to the nearest major distribution centre for evaluation and assignment. That will not be happening: I have changed your directory. You are instead headed course for Planet Gamma-Zed-3.
[She raises her hand, as if in anticipation of unheard protestations.]
Pearl: I am sure you are all wondering why I have done this. Simply put: to save your lives. Or a good portion of them.
The moon you are coming from is the oldest active Pearl Farm in the entire galaxy. Or, it was. As of this Cycle, it has been officially decommissioned. You are the final batch it will ever produce.
The longer any Kindergarten is used, the less effective it becomes, due to all the necessary minerals and energy being used by the process of Gem production. Eventually, the formation of new Gems simply becomes non-viable, and production ceases. Before that point, however, there are…
[Pearl hesitates.]
Pearl: …complications.
There are fifty four of you. By current statistics, it is estimated that forty seven percent of any final pearl batch— that's twenty-five individuals— will be classified as 'baroque'. Approximately, a further six of you will have a 'non-visible defect'. Some perceived flaw in functioning or behaviour.
Some of you would have been assigned Masters despite your flaws— given to less important Gems, less public posts. Others of you would have had your physical bodies destroyed, and your gemstones subsequently Harvested for energy production. Anyone remaining— anyone deigned completely unsalvageable— would have been shattered.
This way, none of you of die. And the life you find will, hopefully, be better for all of you.
[She straightens, her expression smoothing into something unreadable. When she speaks again, her voice is faster, more clipped.]
Pearl: After this transmission ends, all communications to and from your shuttle will go offline. I have hacked ship's computer so that automatic shuttle systems will report a sudden increase in temperature, followed by catastrophic loss of pressure. It will be assumed that the vessel suffered some major mechanical malfunction, and was destroyed. It will not be considered a major loss. No one will look for you. No one will notice that your ship is actually unharmed, and is instead headed for a different planet entirely.
Planet Gamma-Zed-3 is the second planet from this system's sun. It is small, rocky, possesses an atmosphere composed primarily of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and a very basic local ecosystem of organic lifeforms. It was very briefly colonised by the Empire, but then abandoned when it was decided that it was too poor in resources for further colonisation to be cost effective. There should be some very rudimentary construction sites, as well as a single Galactic Warp Pad.
I recommend that you destroy it, first thing, after landing. Do not attempt to use it, or any communication devices you may discover.
Beyond that, what you do is your own decision.
[In the background there are distant, muffled voices. Pearl starts.]
Pearl: I am running out of time. Tread lightly, and good luck, My Pearls.
[She brings her two hands together, wrists and finger tips touching to form a circle.]
Pearl: Pearl out.
[Static.]